What to know
The Former Hosokawa Residence (Kyū Hosokawa Gyōbutei) was the home of a branch family of the Hosokawa Clan, the powerful clan that ruled Kumamoto for most of the Edo Period (1603–1868). This building is an excellent example of a high-ranking samurai mansion.
After the feudal era ended, Gyobutei was moved to a different location in 1873, but later relocated to Kumamoto Castle Park and beautifully restored in the 1990s. Unfortunately, it was damaged in the 2016 earthquakes and remains closed to the public indefinitely. Repair work has begun, and while no official date has been set, there is hope the residence will reopen by 2030.
The Former Hosokawa Residence is located in the northern part of Kumamoto Castle Park, about a ten-minute walk from the castle tower.
Visitor information
Practical details to check before planning this stop.
- Hours
- Closed
- Closed until further notice due to damage suffered in the earthquakes of April 2016.
- Admission
- English name
- Original name
- Former Hosokawa Residence
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